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Deputy Minister Irena Dimitrova participated in the regular meeting of the EU General Affairs Council

25 January 2022 News

The EU General Affairs Council held its first regular meeting today within the framework of the French Presidency of the EU Council in Brussels. The Bulgarian delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Irena Dimitrova.

The President-in-Office of the Council of Europe, French Minister Clemon Bon, presented the priorities of the rotating presidency: a more sovereign Europe, a new model of growth and a more humane Europe. Achieving them presupposes strengthening the Schengen area and better protecting Europe's borders, improving the investment climate and the green economy, as well as more opportunities for European citizens to participate directly in the governance of the Union.

"Bulgaria fully shares the priorities of the French presidency. We expect progress on the issue of Bulgaria's membership in the Schengen area, for which our country has long ago met all the requirements", Deputy Minister Irena Dimitrova said. She also expressed support for the rotating presidency's Conference on the Western Balkans in June 2022.

European ministers discussed the "Strengthening Democracy and Integrity in Elections" legislative package. The package aims to increase transparency in the EU's political and electoral process and is expected to enter into force before the next 2024 EP elections.

Ministers agreed that there could be no real democracy without free and fair elections. They called for more transparency regarding political advertising and sources of funding and limiting opportunities for external interference in the European elections. Other important tasks are mobilizing the participation of European citizens in the EP elections, preventing double voting and guaranteeing the voting rights of citizens living outside their own country.

"Work should be done to achieve the delicate balance between strengthening the financial viability of European political parties and preserving their independence", Deputy Minister Dimitrova said.

The Council reviewed the state of play of coordination at EU level to counter COVID-19. European ministers updated the Council Recommendation on travel arrangements within the EU. There has been a strong call for freedom of movement in the EU for fully vaccinated people without additional requirements.

"Bulgaria is confident that the introduction of an individual approach based on the Digital COVID certificate will contribute to the free movement of European citizens", the head of the Bulgarian delegation said. She pointed out that the Bulgarian authorities continue to work actively to increase public confidence in vaccines and explain the benefits of vaccination. Ministers emphasized that the results of accelerated vaccination, including booster doses, were visible, and that despite the significant increase in morbidity, there was no increase of the load in hospital and intensive care units.

The Council also discussed progress in the work of the Conference on the Future of Europe, which is entering an essential stage. At the invitation of the previous rotating presidency, representatives of the Western Balkan countries also joined the Conference.

At the end of the meeting, Vice-President of the EC Maroš Ševčović presented the results of his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom Liz Trass on 24.01.2022. Efforts continue to find a solution to the outstanding issues, including the rights of European citizens established in the United Kingdom and the implementation of the Ireland / Northern Ireland Protocol.

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